THE 2020 GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS & ODDS

The first winner of back-to-back Grand Nationals since Red Rum, Tiger Roll wrote himself into the history books. Top weight means he is still not certain to run in the Grand National in 2020 especially after losing the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham.

A Cheltenham winner in the Kim Muir over 3m2f, he took his chances at the Irish Grand National last season but unfortunately fell. This season has been a mixed bag, unseating at Leopardstown but was then won last time out at Naas. It was heavy ground over 2m but was enough to see his odds drop and make him the second favourite.

Another class runner owned by the Ricci’s, Burrows Saint gave trainer Willie Mullins his first Irish Grand National win in 2019. A recent win at Punchestown also boosted his claims. Will only be 7 years old for the 2020 Grand National so may still be too young.

Was a hot favourite going into the 2017 Grand National but was pulled-up. Has taken on quite a few graded chases since then and was 4th in the Becher Chase in December. Second place in the Peter Marsh Chase and a win at Kelso last time out boosted his Grand National 2020 claims.

A very interesting 2020 Grand National prospect. Pulled up in the Irish Grand National at the end of last season but has since finished 2nd in the Becher Chase at Aintree before heading to Warwick to win a big race over 3m5f.

As the winner of the Becher Chase, hopes were high in 2019 and Walk In The Mill didn’t disappoint. Running a great race he finished in 4th place. He has since won another Becher Chase and looks good for the 2020 Grand National.

Nearly spoiled the Tiger Roll party in 2019 but had to settle for second place. The only mare to run in the race, she was also trainer Jessica Harrington’s first entry and a delight for those that had backed her each way at staggering odds of 125/1. Already on back-to-back wins this season.

Winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 in the National Hunt Chase over 3m7f. It was also his first attempt at a race of 3m+ so to win it was quite an achievement. Has since run in the Becher Chase at Aintree and finished 5th at Warwick over another lengthy 3m5f. However, is quite far down the list so making the cut will be a tense wait.

An absolute legend of a horse, Bristol De Mai has notched up earnings of more than £700K during his career so far. He has also won or placed in 20 of his 25 chase runs. Even the heavier weight won’t slow him down.

Winner of the Midlands Grand National in March and the Welsh Grand National in December, Potters Corner has stamina in bucket loads. Has been very generously weighted which is a massive advantage. But he will need rain and soft ground to bring out the best in him.

Always does well around the Grand National fences. Was 4th in 2018 and fifth in 2019 despite being top weight. He was also second in the Gold Cup which he didn’t re-enter in 2020. Hasn’t had the best season so far but his previous experience around the course and a much lower weight this year is definitely a boost.

Was entered last year but was withdrawn probably because he was only 7 years old. Instead, he went for the Betway Bowl Chase but finished last. Otherwise, a sterling chaser who was 6th in the Gold Cup and also 6th in the Coral Welsh National in December. Pulled-up last time out at Haydock – a first in his career.

A really great chaser and was a high hope for the Pipe’s going into last year’s National. But he pulled up at the 28th fence. On really good form heading into the 2020 Grand National with back-to-back wins at Doncaster and Haydock.

Ran but fell in last season’s Grand National but looks set to tackle the Aintree obstacles again in 2020. Started the season well with back-to-back wins and has good form over the longer distances. Had another good win last time out at Ascot and he can get around the course because he also ran in the Becher Chase, though he’ll need the going on the soft side.

Talkischeap has really stepped up in distance over the last year and won at Sandown, over 3m5f, in April 2019. It was a solid win in the Bet365 Gold Cup and one that boosted his rating for the Grand National 2020. Has had two races this season with wind surgery in between. Despite that he still pulled-up last time out at Kempton.

Has been an excellent chaser in races up to 3 miles, including a 2nd place at Cheltenham and a win last time out in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster. Good ground will suit him best as he’s a speedy horse who needs quick going.

The winner in 2017 was back last year to regain his crown having spent a year recovering from an injury that saw him miss out in 2018. He certainly gave a good account of himself but had to settle for 6th place. He was pulled-up last time out with a fibrillating heart but connections have said he is now absolutely perfect and back on track for the Grand National 2020.

A consistent chaser but one who is more often second or third than the winner, particularly in the last year or so. He did run in the 2018 race but fell however he was third in the Becher Chase and can definitely navigate the fences so will he fare better in the Grand National 2020?

There was a lot of chatter about Give Me A Copper for last season’s Grand National, mostly because he is co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. This season his prospects look better after a win on his seasonal return at Wincanton in November. Ran at Ascot but the going was heavy and he tired two out so had to contend with 7th place. Better ground for the National could mean an improved performance.

Yala Enki is a fine horse that recently moved from trainer Venetia Williams to Paul Nicholls. Has had a few Grand National entries but has never actually run in it and instead ran in the Gold Cup last season, finishing in 7th place. Was third in the Welsh National and won last time out at Taunton. Expect odds to drop even further if it’s confirmed that Bryony Frost is on board!

Was 3rd in last season’s Irish Grand National but this season has been a mixed bag. Well beaten at Navan, he was then second to Al Boum Photo in the Savills Chase before a mid-place finish at Gowran. Redeemed himself again with another solid win at Fairyhouse in very heavy conditions. The ground will need to be on the soft side to have any chance of getting around the 2020 Grand National course.

A really good chaser who was fourth in the recent Ladbrokes Trophy Chase. One of two real contenders, alongside Ok Corral, for trainer Nicky Henderson for the Grand National 2020, a race the trainer has yet to win.

Traffic Fluide hadn’t raced since November 2018 but was back this season for a run at Ascot. At just 2m5f, he was racing well until he tired and then blundered at the last. He then ran in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham but with no chase starts this season, time to qualify for the Grand National may be up.

A very experienced chaser, Sub Lieutenant has been racing for years. Each season he manages to pull out one really good win or place but then lets himself down in the next. He has had two runs this season, in May 2019, before returning In Feb 2020 finishing fourth at Fairyhouse in heavy conditions.

Vintage Clouds fell foul of fence number one last year. He then headed to Ayr for the Scottish National a week later and finished in 6th place. He has since been pulled-up in the Becher so clearly Aintree is not his favourite course. Connections have decided to give him another try on the back of his good win at Haydock although his run in the Ultima was just okay.

A photo finish in 2018 meant hopes were in 2019 for Pleasant Company. Unfortunately, horse and jockey parted ways when Paul Townend was unseated at the 27th fence. He will carry a lot less weight for the 2020 Grand National which will boost his chances however, his form is really not great so a repeat of 2018 is doubtful.

Was narrowly beaten into third place at Newcastle but came back with a win at Wetherby before another third place at Cheltenham in January. Will need a bit of rain to soften the course but is otherwise a solid contender. However, the 2020 Grand National is not guaranteed and connections may opt for a run in the Aintree Bowl instead.

Winner at Cheltenham in 2018, he ran in the Ryanair Chase last season but was pulled up by jockey Davy Russell. He finished the season with a 3rd place in the Punchestown Gold Cup. This season has been mixed with his three best finishes coming over hurdles, including the Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Ran but was pulled up in 2018 and has since run well but was just lacking a little in form. However that all changed in the Goffs Thyestes Chase in January when he romped home for Willie Mullins and straight into the Grand National 2020 betting market.

A really great chaser in the making, Kildisart has been steadily climbing through the class ranks running in five chases last season. That season culminated in a win in the Betway Handicap Chase at Aintree last April. He ran a great race at Cheltenham to finish second and odds immediately dropped for the Grand National.

Back again for another shot at the Grand National, Mall Dini was entered last season but was withdrawn. Last seen in May 2019 when he was pulled up at Ballinrobe. Aside from being too far down the list to qualify, he has also never won a chase. Unlikely that the Grand National would be his first.

Won the Grand Sefton at Aintree in December and solidified his chances for a spot in the 2020 Grand National with a much needed official rating boost. A good horse but unlikely to challenge for the win.

Was hampered at the first last year and ultimately unseated Robbie Power about halfway around the race. Guaranteed a spot in the 2020 Grand National, he’s had four runs this season but none of them produced particularly good results.

Moved from France to Gordon Elliott in November 2018. After a shaky start, he was given a nice long break to settle before coming back in June to win three back-to-back races. Has stepped up in distance this season but has made no impact in the longer races. Unlikely to challenge in the Grand National 2020.

Moved from trainer Nicky Henderson to Willie Mullins back in October and has had three runs for his new yard this season. None have been particularly inspiring and he pulled-up last time out in the Goffs Thyestes Chase which was won by Total Recall.

One for fans of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Dingo Dollar may not win you a treat in the jungle but it could return a few quid if it places in the Grand National 2020. He has to get in first so it will be a nervous wait to make the cut.

One for all the dare-devils out there, Takingrisks is a very experienced chaser who has won or placed 11 times from 18 starts over fences. Winner of the Scottish National in 2019, he has stamina, jumps well and is on very good form.

Wasn’t really in Grand National contention until he won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December. That bumped up his Official Rating but not enough to make the cut for 2020. Will be in a better position to qualify next year.

Generally a very consistent runner who has never fallen, unseated his rider or been pulled-up. While he frequently manages second or third place, he is short on wins and that may have led to his particularly low weight for the 2020 Grand National which almost certainly means he won’t get to line-up.

Young and lightly chased, he may have an entry for the 2020 Grand National but it would be a surprise if he actually ran in it. He ran in the Cheltenham Festival but pulled-up and is just on the edge of making the cut for the National due to being so far down the list of entries.

A fine chaser who has had a mixed season so far – winning at Limerick but pulled up at Newbury. That was a big step up in class and company so she may need more experience before trying her hand at the National fences.

Better known as a hurdler, Dallas Des Pictons has only run in four chases, and they have all been this season. And none of them have been beyond 2m5f. There’s also controversy over his Official Rating so he may get withdrawn at a later date.

Ran but pulled-up last year and didn’t fare any better in his next outing in the Irish Grand National. Has potential but it doesn’t materialise very often. He swerved Cheltenham and ran at Naas instead but pulled-up.

This French eight-year-old moved to Willie Mullins last May and has had five runs for his new trainer. Very little consistency in form and from those five races he has been pulled-up, fallen, been well beaten but then also won at Tramore and was second to Total Recall at Gowran last time out. Has potential but needs more time.

Just made the cut for last year’s race and there were plenty who fancied his chances. But it wasn’t his race and he weakened 4 out before being pulled up 2 out. This year he is unlikely to make the cut, as he is even further down the list than he was last year.

This horse never stops racing. Seen every few weeks, he has already notched up 10 starts this season. He is also incredibly consistent and has won or placed in 8 of those runs but that didn’t impress the handicapper who has him so far down the list of entries that there is absolutely no way he could make the cut.

A very experienced chaser but one that tends to stick to around 2m4f or 2m5f. Has only started running at 3m+ this season and was gearing up for a Gold Cup run before he was withdrawn.

It would be a miracle if this horse made the top 40 for the 2020 Grand National. He had been sidelined for more than years before returning in January 2020 and could only manage 4th from six runners. With only four chase starts, he would technically qualify, but it probably wouldn’t be a good idea after so long away.

Very much a veteran of Cheltenham, Cogry has run there a staggering 15 times. He did run in the Becher Chase at Aintree in 2016 but unseated his rider and hasn’t returned since. Won last time out at Cheltenham but connections may have a tense wait to see if makes the final 40 for the 2020 Grand National.

Was 4th in the Irish Grand National last season over 3m5f and placed 3rd in the Galway Plate in July. He’s a good chaser but has never won at more than 2m7f so while he might be there or thereabouts for a place in the 2020 Grand National, he’s unlikely to win it.

Was on great form on the run-up to the 2019 race but stamina was always a big question mark. That proved to be true as he was pulled up after being hampered by a faller.

Was 4th in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last year and started this season really well with wins at Wetherby and Haydock. Well beaten last time out on heavy ground so if it’s nice and dry at Aintree, he could do ok.

No stranger to the Grand National, Regal Encore finished in 8th place in 2017, skipped 2018, and was back again to finish 7th in 2019. His only issue this time around is that at 12 years old, there will be younger and faster horses to contend with.

Tout Est Permis is a decent chaser who has bagged some prestigious races including the Troytown Chase in 2018. He could very well make the cut for 2020 but he is very young and doesn’t ever really run much beyond 3m. He finished 3rd in the Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham but may swerve Aintree for another year.

If it’s an experienced runner you’re after for the 2020 Grand National, Valtor has it in bucket loads. With 35 chase starts, he ran and finished last year’s National in 18th place. Putting the result aside, he has proven capability over the fences and can last the course and will carry less weight this year so definitely ticks a few boxes.

Has a solid record over fences with seven wins or places from nine chase starts. That said, they are in smaller races and he is also a great hurdler so whether or not he will go to Aintree is not yet definite.

Was a Gold Cup runner last season and finished in 9th place. Went on to the Irish Grand National but was pulled-up. Odds are long because despite several attempts at 3m+, she just doesn’t do well. The mare performs much better at 2m4f so the 2020 Grand National may be a stretch too far.

This will be Warriors Tale third attempt at the Grand National. He ran in both 2018 and 2019 and was pulled up in both, just a few fences from the end. Nothing suggests that the 2020 Grand National will produce a different result.

Has only been chasing since May 2019 but in that time has run out six times, winning two and placing in another two so his record is solid. But that won’t help for the 2020 Grand National as there is almost no chance he will make the cut.

Often carries heavier weights and has never fallen, unseated or pulled-up, so is a definitely a reliable chaser. Was second in the Ryanair Chase last season so may head back to Cheltenham and swerve Aintree this year.

A good chaser at around 2m5f and frequently wins or places but has never even started at 3m so the likelihood that he could win over 4m2f is non-existant. Plus he hasn’t even qualified yet so may not even be in contention.

New to racing in the UK, Saint Xavier was trained and successfully run in France for four seasons before moving to Paul Nicholls’ yard in November. Since then he has had three runs for his new trainer including a win at Kempton. He is good but there is still a way to go with him yet.

Lack of consistency is very frustrating but none more so than with Spider Web who pulls-up then places, pulls-u then places…you get the idea. He also has absolutely no chance of making the final line-up for the 2020 Grand National as he too far down the list.

Ran in last year’s National but was pulled up by jockey Sean Bowen. He then ran but was also pulled up in the Irish National. This season hasn’t gotten off to a great start and last time out he finished a whopping 126L behind the winner and that shows in the weight he has been given for the 2020 Grand National, which rules him out of contention.

Soupy Soups is turning into a fine and formidable chaser who has been moving through the classes at a nice, steady pass but his OR is quite low and unfortunately, he has no chance of running in the 2020 Grand National.

This horse runs quite a lot and was seen 10 times last season. However, all of his races, bar one, were around the 2m5f mark so there’s a case to be made that stamina over the Grand National 2020 course may be in question.

Has been entered a couple of times but has never run with connections opting to go for the Topham Chase or the Betway Bowl Chase at the Grand National Festival instead. A good chaser but one that hasn’t won a race since December 2016.